While we look back on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable long-form stories shines. These narratives delve into multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of books. This raises a key query: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path to escape prison was to join the government military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. However, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the shocking breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many followers anticipated that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the director's own intentions?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest times, people rely on him to restore order.
Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the uppermost echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Small State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a significant actor on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the precise nature of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the prospect that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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